Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro is considering declaring a state of emergency as the U.S. continues its military pressure of Caracas with a large deployment of troops and assets off its coast.
Maduro said the decision would help protect the country's sovereignty and stability, noting that his goal is "that the entire nation, every citizen, has the support and protection of all forces of Venezuelan society to respond to any threat or attack against our country."
The Miami Herald noted that under Article 338 of the South American country's constitution, the declaration of an "external national commotion" would allow the government to suspend certain constitutional guarantees to deal with foreign threats.
The measure can last up to 90 days and can be renewed one time. It has to be approved by the Council of Ministers, presented to the National Assembly and reviewed by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court within eight days. All such bodies are controlled by officials friendly to the regime.
The outlet noted that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has backed the possibility, calling it "very pertinent in light of the threats looming over Venezuela."
In this context, former Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos claimed the "final operation" that will result in the ousting of Maduro will take place in "four to six weeks."
Speaking to NTN 24, Santos made the statement while criticizing Colombian President Gustavo Petro's speech before the UN Assembly General, in which he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.
Santos said "things will get complicated for" Petro when he leaves office due to his stance. "Not only with the U.S., among others, because I am fully certain that Maduro's days or weeks are numbered." He added that the "final operation" that will result in his ouster will take place in "four to six weeks."
Earlier this week, the White House dismissed a letter sent by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro offering direct talks with President Donald Trump, describing the message as "full of lies" and reiterating its stance that Maduro's government is illegitimate and central to drug trafficking operations in the region.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that the administration had reviewed the letter, dated September 6, but said it did not alter U.S. policy toward Venezuela. "Frankly, Maduro repeated many lies in that letter, and the position of the administration on Venezuela has not changed," Leavitt said during a briefing. "We consider the Maduro regime illegitimate, and the president has made clear he is willing to use all necessary means to stop the deadly flow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States."
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
